Transmission contkol mechanism



Dec. 25, 1951 P. ORR 2,579,693

TRANSMISSION CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Jan. 9. 1946 r 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Governor 1 rwerii orl Dec. 25 1951 P. ORR

TRANSMISSION CONTROL MECHANISM 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed Jan. 9, 1946 Patented Dec. 25, 1951 TRANSMIS SION CONTROL MECHANISM Palmer Orr, Muncie,. Ind., assignor to Borg-Warnor Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois.

Application January 9, 1946, Serial No. 639,989

11. Claims. 1

My* invention relates to transmissions and more specifically to transmissions particularly adapted for use on automotive vehicles.

One-way couplings or clutches have found quite widespread usage in automotive transmissions due to the fact that, for certain uses, advantageous results areobtained. It is, however, desirable in some casestolock up these one-way clutches by providing positive clutches in parallel with them which, when engaged, provide a twoway drive between the drive and driven parts of the one-way clutches. A one-way clutch in a power train allows the vehicle to move forwardlywithout the drag of the engine, and this is undesirable when descending bills or' mountains, for example, and in this case such positive clutches are desirable, as will be readily understood.

It is anobject of the present invention to-provide improved mechanism for engaging and disengaging" the positive clutches which are in parallel with the one-way clutches, hereinabove mentioned. To this end it is an object to provide" means for temporarily opening the throttle of the automotive engine to engage such a one-way clutch when-it is desired to engage the positive clutch. The one-way clutch, under these conditions, functions tosynchronize the engaging parts of the positive clutch as will be readily understood.

It is another object of' the invention to providecontrolling meansfor the positive-clutch and the engine throttlewhich is on the dashboard of thevehicle for allowing the operator'at will to provide a two-way drive between the engine and the driving wheels of the vehicle.

It is a further object of the invention to provide improved mechanism for disengaging such a: positive clutch when the transmission mechanisn'l is shifted out of one speed ratioand for so engaging the one-way clutch to facilitate engagementof the positive clutch when the vehicle operator shifts to another speed ratio;

The invention consists of the novel constructi'ons, arrangements and devices to be hereinafter described and claimed for carrying out the abovestated objects and such other objects as will appear from the following description of certain preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a transmission and control mechanism therefor embodying the principles of. the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.

Referring now in particular to Fig. 1. of the drawings, there is illustrated a transmission having a drive shaft Ill and a driven shaft II. The transmission is adapted to be installed in an automotive vehicle and is shown connected through a friction clutch l2, which may be of any suitable type, with an automotive engine I3. The transmission comprises a drive gear 14 connected to the shaft l0, driven gears l5 and I6 rotatablydisposed on the driven shaft H, a countershaft I! having gears l8 and I9 fixed thereon and another gear 20 mounted on the countershaft by means of a one-way roller clutch 2|. The gear it is in mesh with an idler gear 22. which is also in mesh with the gear [6 for providing a reverse drive power train as will be hereinafter described. The gears 18 and 20 are respectively in mesh with the gears l5 and I4, as shown. A positive type clutch 23 comprising a shiftable sleeve 24' is provided in parallel with the one-way clutch 2i,

and when the positive clutch is engaged it effectively locks up the one-way clutch 2| or provides a two-way drive in lieu of the one-way drive provided by the clutch 2|, as will be appreciated from an inspection of the drawings.

Shift collars 25 and 26 are provided for completing the various power trains through the transmission. The collar 25 is engageable with clutch teeth 2'! formed on the gear [4, and the collar 26 is engageable with teeth 28 and 29 formed on the gears l5 and I6, respectively. Blocker type synchronizers 30, 3! and 32 of any suitable well-known construction are provided for blocking a complete shift of the collars 25 and 26 until the parts to be engaged are in synchromsm.

The sleeve 26, when shifted to the right into mesh with the teeth 29, conditions the transmission for a drive in reverse, and the reverse drive power train is from the drive shaft 10 through the gears It and 2t and the clutch 2| or the clutch 23 if the latter is engaged, the countershaft H, the gears Hi, 22 and I6 and the teeth 29 and collar 26 to the shaft ii. The collar 2t, when shifted to the left to engage the teeth 28, conditions the transmission for forward drive and, assuming the collar is not engaged with the teeth 21, the shaft i l is driven in a low speed forward drive, the power train being from the shaft Hi through the gears it 253 and the one-way clutch 2| or the positive clutch 23 if the latter is engaged, the countershaft ll, the gears l8 and I5 and the eeth 28 and collar 26 to the shaft II. If the collar 25 is engaged with the teeth 21, the shaft l l is driven at a high speed forward drive, and? the power train is from the shaft 10 through the teeth 21 and the collar 25, the gear and the teeth 28 and collar 26 to the driven shaft H. In this drive, the positive clutch 23 is disengaged and the roller clutch 2i overruns.

Mechanism under the control of the accelerator 35 of the vehicle is utilized for shifting the transmission between its two forward speed ratios in which the shift collar 25 is respectively in and out of engagement with the teeth 21. The accelerator 35 is connected by any suitable means such as a link 35 with the throttle 37 for the vehicle engine 13. The link 35 has a lost motion con nection 33 with the throttle for purposes to be hereinafter described. A switch 35 having contacts 4B and M is under the control of the accelerator 35 and is actuated when the accelerator is moved to its open throttle position. Prior to such actuation, the switch 39 is in its illustrated condition with its contacts 46 closed and its contacts 4| open. A governor 42 having contacts 43 which are closed above a predetermined speed of the vehicle has one of its contacts 43 connected in series with one of the contacts 45, and one of the contacts 43 is grounded as shown. The governor 42 may be of any suitable type and may be driven from the shaft H by means of a gear 44 fixed thereon. The contacts 45 of the switch 39 are connected with one of the contacts 45 of a switch 46, and this switch is connected with the winding 41 of a relay &8. The winding 57 is connected through a fuse 49 with the ignition switch 533 of the vehicle which in turn is connected with the vehicle battery 5!. As will be apparent from an inspection of the circuit comprising the winding 41, the relay 48 is energized when the governor contacts 43 and the switch contacts 45 and 45 are closed.

The ignition circuit of the vehicle comprises the usual spark coil 52 and circuit breaker 53, which are connected with the ignition switch 55, and a condenser 54 connected across the breaker 53.

The coil 52 is connected to contacts 55 in the relay 4B, and the latter contacts are in turn connected with the contacts 41 of the switch 39. The contacts 4! are connected with a switch 56 which is disposed on the operating arm 51 of a vacuum motor 53 and has one of its contacts grounded, as

shown. 7

The operating arm 5! of the motor 58 is connected to a lever 59 pivoted at 55, and the lever 59 operates the collar 25 as will be apparent from an inspection of the drawings. The vacuum motor 58 comprises a piston iii which is adapted to have vacuum applied thereto from a valve 52 and which is connected with the arm 5?. A spring 53 is provided in the motor 58 for yieldingly holding the piston 5| in its illustrated position, and the motor comprises also an electric holding coil 54 for holding the piston at the other end of its movement. The valve 62 is connected to a source of vacuum such as, for example, the manifold of the engine I3. The valve comprises a piston 55 which is actuated by an electric solenoid 65, and the arrangement of the valve is such that when the solenoid 66 is deenergized, the piston 51 is exposed to the atmosphere, while when the piston 55 is moved by energization of the solenoid 55, the piston 6i has vacuum applied thereto. The relay it has contacts 5?, and these contacts are connected both to the electric current supply through the fuse 49 and also with the solenoid 66, and the latter is connected with the holding coil 54 which has one end grounded, as shown.

4 The contacts 55 of the relay 48 are closed and the contacts 61 of the relay are open when the relay is deenergized, in thecondition in which the relay is illustrated. Assuming the collar has been shifted to engage the teeth 28 of the gear I 5, the shaft It will be driven at low speed forward drive. The piston is in its illustrated position for this drive, and the solenoid 55 of the valve 62 is deenergized so that the valve 52 is in the condition in which it is illustrated. The winding 41 of the relay &8, being connected with the governor contacts 43, remains deenergized until the speed of the shaft ll reaches a predetermined value and the contacts 43 close. The winding 41 of the relay 48 is energized when the contacts 43 close, the winding circuit being completed through the contacts 40 of the switch 39. The contacts 55 of the relay are thus opened and the contacts 51 are closed when the vehicle reaches a predetermined speed. The closure of the contacts 51 applies electric voltage to the solenoid 6B and holding coil 64, and the valve piston 55 is thus moved into its position in which vacuum is applied to the piston 5i, shifting the piston to the right as illustrated in the drawing against the action of the spring 63. The collar 25 is thus shifted to the left and will engage with the teeth 21 as soon as the shafts HI and I l are synchronized, such engagement being prevented prior to synchronization of the shafts by the blocker 30. The operator releases the accelerator to reduce the speed of the shaft iii, and the blocker 35 allows the sleeve 25 to move into its engaged position after synchronization of the shafts l5 and II', and the transmission is then in direct drive.

The transmission may be downshifted from high speed forward drive to low speed forward drive by depressing the accelerator to fully open throttle position to break the circuit through the contacts and complete the circuit through the contacts M of the switch 39. Breakage of the circuit through the contacts has the effect of deenergizing the relay 48 to close the relay contacts and. open the relay contacts 61. Opening of the relay contacts 6'? causes deenergization of the solenoid 66 so that the valve 62 again admits atmospheric pressure to the motor 58, and the spring 63 is then effective tomove the collar 25 back to its illustrated position. The pressure between the teeth 2i and the collar 25 due to torque transmitted therethrough and tending to hold the collar in its engaged position is relieved due to an ignition interruption caused by a completion of a circuit through the contacts 4| of the switch 39. The spark coil 52 is grounded through the relay contacts 55, the switch contacts 4| and the switch 55 which is closed when the collar 25 is in its engaged position to inter: rupt the ignition. The torque between the teeth 21 and co1lar'25 being thus relieved, thecollar 25 shifts back into its illustrated position due to the action of the spring 63. This movement of the piston 6! opens the switch 55, and the engine ignition is thus restored.

of the vehicle and which is connected by means of a suitable linkage 2 with a lever l3 pivoted at E4. The lever 13 engages the shift collar 24 of the positive clutch 23, and the arrangement is such that when the manual control if! is moved to the right as seen in the drawing, the lever,13' is rotated about its center T l so as toengagethe nositivesaclutclr. 2.3:. The; manual .controlfIlI; is pm.- vided': with. a. notch 1.5: and this cooperates with the: switch. 46 so: as." to open: the; switch; whenathe control-. is; movedto: engage: the. clutchl The. switch. 46 is: shown; in; two places" in Eigz. 1 how ever; it: will be-understoodithatithissis.simply a single: switch; and is simply: illustrated in: this manner: for convenience of illustration... The switch 46; when" on enedthy suchi movement: of. the

manual. controll '10 functions. to: break: the; circuit through theirelaywinding 471 and. tothereby; dc:- energizeltheirelayxandlvalve. solenoid; 662 for; causing a movement of the piston 6| to its illustrated position and; a corresponding disengaging movement.;of'the1 collar. 25. for: downshifting the: trans:- mlssion; assumingthat the transmissioniwasfore merly in highspeed-ratio. Itisassumedithat: the accelerator 35 hasibeensomanipulated by releasing it; to close the-throttle; 501211331? the torqueheitween: the. teeth; 21. and. collar; 253 does. not. func-.--

tion: to; prevent: disengagementof: the. collar-1' 25:; If. the. transmission. is; in low speed. ratio; when the control: 1.0.: is. actuated, such. opening: of theswitch 46 assures; that therelwill'be .no. subsequent upshift. of the. transmission-i.

Th8'18VB1'5133, is connectedtby linkage: [6: with: an electric: switch: H. The switch 11' comprises a switch arm I8. connected; tothe linkage-Hi and three, portions. 19,. 8.0; and. 8 I; over i which the arm 'lBimoves. 'Iheportions-Hl andzSI; 31 81101190011? ducting while theportion. 80 is electrically: con.- ducting and completes a circuit with the arm 18 when the arm passes. over the latter portion. The-portion B0.-is;-connected tothebattery t and the arm 18 is connected to a solenoid throttle operator or. motor 82, as shown;

The solenoid, throttle operator comprises two windings 83.and 84 having anarmature or plunger 85 disposed therein. which is. connected by means of a. link. 8Iiwith. the throttle. 31. Each. of. the windings 83 and. 84.is electrically connected. to the switch arm. I8, and. the connection between the arm. 18 and. winding 84. is. through a switch. 81. which is: opened when the. armature 85 movesto the left as seen in the drawing. Whent acitcuit is completed from the battery 5| through the portion 80 and am 1181 to" both of the windings 83 and84, the. plunger 85 is movedito the-left as seen iii-the drawing to open the enginethrottle, and this movementv of thethrottle 31 is" without a corresponding'movement' of the accelerator pedal 35 due to the lost motionconnection 38; The plunger" 85'- functions to open the switch 8-! when it completes its movement", and the winding 84. is-

thus deenergized; however, thewinding 8-3 keepsthe plunger 85 in its throttle opening position as long as this winding is kept in energized con-- dition.

Assuming that the transmission is in its low speed ratio, a movement of the manual control causes an engagement of the positive clutch 23 to lock up the one-way clutch 2|- andprovide a two-way drive-betwee1r the gear and gear I 8 in the low: speed power: train, and such movementof the manual control 70 priorto arr enthat there shall; besufflbientzlost motion: between:

Thistemporary the: parts; of the. positive clutch 23 iwhlchw. will. allow anengagement of theclutclreverr though. the engaging parts; are not.:eXa-c.tly-in line. whenhthe one-way clutch: 2.I. is engaged; The; notch; 15 in the manualoontrol I0 assures 'thatthez circuit, 111+ cluding. the relay. winding. 4 .1 is open: when; the positive clutch-.23 is. engaged, and such. opening of: this. circuit,. assuming the; transmission; is: in high speedrati will cause a. downshift; of: the transmission. It, will thus be apparent. that: a movement. tothe.- rightof the; manual: control. I0 on-.the1 dashboard; I I functions to: shift the trans;- mission intoatwo-way low' speed driver.

The. embodiment of the. invention. shown in Fig. 2;isillustrated 1with reference to a manually shifted. transmission. which. comprises a drive shaft. I anda driven shaft IOIr Thedrive-shaft Ill!) is drivenfrom: anengine I02. connected with theshaft by meansofza frictionclutch. I.03-of any suitable variety. The, transmission; comprises a gear. I04. fixed. on the; drive; shaft. I00 and gears. Ill-5, lllfiandl Ill! splinedon. the driven shaft I01. The gears-i H16. and IDT are fixed together inv a cluster; as shown; The. transmission comprises alsov a: rotatablecountershaft having gears I08; I 09 and III}: formed. thereon; and a gear III in mesh Withthegear I104 is connectedto the countershaft. by meansv of a; one.-way-roller clutch- M 2. Apositivelclutch I I3 comprisinga shiftable collar I I4 is disposed in parallellwith the one-way clutch I12, as shown;

The gear I05 is formed with teeth adapted: to mesh with the teeth on the gearv IM-soastoprovide a clutch. I-Iibetween the. shafts W0. and IOI::. The transmission .comprisesalso gears I I5 and I I1 slidably disposed on; an idler shaft H8 and. fixed together. to form. a cluster.

The.transmissionprovides a fourspeed forward drive betweenthe. shafts lfl'liand: HM. and; also a. reverse drive between the shafts. For firstspeed the gear I0] is. meshed with the. gear II 0;. for second, speed. thegear. I06. is meshed with. the. gear Hlsgfor third speed. the. gear Ii'Ii-ismeshed with. the-gear I0&;. and for. fourth speed. thepositive clutch. I I5..is..engaged; For reverse drive the gears. Hi. and. III are.-1noved.to. the left as. seen in thefigure to mesh the gear. I I6. with. the gear HQ. and the gear III. with the gear IEi'I.

The gear It? may. be shifted. by means. of a shift. fork M3 on asshlftl rail; I20, and. the gears H16. and It! may bev shifted. means. of a. shift fork.v I2I. on ashiftrail I22. suitablelinterlock ing. mechanism. I23. of any. suitable well known construction. may be. used. between. the. rails. I28. and I22 for preventing a. shifting of both-of. the. rails; out. of their neutral. positionsat the same time. The shift. rails maybe shifted by means. of a; lever I24 which is. rotatable. and. which is also laterally. movable in. order. that it may enter. either of the. notches I25 in-either of the rails; I20 and I 22 for engaging one raiLor the other.

'Ilhe lever I24 is rotated for reciprocating either. of. the. rails. I26. or I22 and is also. moved laterally inorder tomove; it either into one. of the notches I25: by meansof a shiftlever l zifiilocated immediately. beneath the vehicle steering wheel; I225. The; lever L26 isfixed to a shaft. L28-Whiclr has, a. rotatable connection r29 with a shaft L30; The lever; I25 isrfixed to-the shaft Iflihand the ar rangementiis. such that a longitudinal movementv of. the.- shaft I28; by; means of, the lever. I 26 causes a corresponding longitudinal: movement. ot. the; shaft I3!) and: a laterat moremnt or: the; shift leren I2z4- to; move: the latter 1E5/6I:i!1l70.x cit-heron the; notches; I125.

either of the lugs I 32 on the lever I33.

'The shaft I28 has a lever I3I fixed thereto which when oscillated by the hand lever I26 abuts against lugs I32 on a lever I33 which is fixed on a sleeve-shaft I34 surrounding the shaft I28. The shaft I34 has a lug I35 extending into an opening I36 formed in the shaft I30 so that oscillation of the shaft I34 causes a similar oscillation of the shaft I30 for shifting either of the rails I or I22. It will thus be apparent that oscillation of the shaft I28 and hand lever I26 of itself causes no oscillation of the shaft I due to the rotatable connection I29 between the shafts but longitudinal movement of the shaft I28 does cause corresponding longitudinal movement of the shaft I30 to cause the shift lever I24 to enter either of the slots I25. The lug I moves within the opening I36 to allow longitudinal movement of the shafts I 26 and I30 without corresponding longitudinal movement of the sleeve shaft I34. The arrangement of the lever I3I and the lever I33 provides a lost motion connection between the shafts I28 and I34, and after the hand lever I26 is oscillated a predetermined distance, the lever I3I abuts either of the lugs I32 and causes a corresponding movement of the lever I33 and of the sleeve I34 to oscillate the shaft I30 and the shift lever I24 to shift either of the rails I20 or I22. The two levers I3I and I33 are yieldably held in their illustrated relative positions in which the lever I3I is out of contact with the lugs I32 by springs The two levers I3I and I33 actuate a switch I38, and the arrangement is such that the switch is closed when the lever I3I is in contact with This switch I 38 is utilized to control the throttle of the engine I02, the ignition system of the engine and also the shift collar I I4 of the positive clutch II3 as will be hereinafter described. The switch I38 is connected with one end of a winding I39 of a relay I40. The relay I40 comprises an armature having two portions I4I and I42 which are insulated from each other, and the other end of the winding I39 is connected with the armature portion I4I which in turn is connected with a fuse I43. The fuse I43 is connected with the battery I44 of the vehicle which constitutes the source of electric supply.

The spark coil I45 constituting a portion of the ignition system of the engine I02 is connected with the other armature portion I42 as shown. The armature portion I42 carries a switch contact I46 adapted .to complete an electric circuit with another contact I46 which is stationary, and the latter contact is connected with the ignition switch I41 of the vehicle. The battery is connected with the coil I45 by means of the ignition switch I41 and the contacts I46, as shown.

'The armature portion I4I which is connected to the battery I44 through the fuse I43 carries a contact I48 which is adapted to complete an electrio-circuit with another contact I46 that isstationary. The latter contact is connected with the solenoid I49 of a vacuum valve I50. The valve I50 comprises a movable plunger I5I which controls the admission of vacuum to a vacuum motor I52. The vacuum unit I52 comprises a movable piston I53, an electric holding coil I54, and a spring I55 acting on the piston. The holding coil I54 is connected in series with the solenoid I49 and is grounded as shown. The arrangement of the vacuum valve I50 and vacuum unit I52 is such that .the plunger; I5I is'moved when the solenoid I49 is energized so as to apply vacuum to the.pis.-:

ton I53 to move the piston against the spring I55, and after the plunger has completed its movement, the coil I54 functions as an additional means for holding the piston in its changed position. The piston I53 is connected by means of a linkage I66 with the collar II4 so that movement of the piston causes a corresponding movement of the collar. The collar I I4 and piston I53 in their illustrated positions correspond to en-' gaged condition of the clutch H3, and when the piston is moved to the right as seen in the figure, the collar H4 is moved to disengage the clutch II3.

The throttle I61 of the engine I02 is actuated by the usual accelerator pedal I68 connected therewith by any suitable linkage I69. The throttle I61 is also adapted to be actuated by a motor in the form of a throttle solenoid I10 having a plunger I1I connected by linkage I12 with the throttle I61. The solenoid I10 at one end is connected with a stationary contact I13 which makes contact with another contact I13 disposed on the armature portion MI. The solenoid I10 at its other end is connected with a contact I14 which is part of a switch I15 actuated by the piston I53.

The other contact I14 of this switch is grounded as shown. The switch I15 is closed when the piston I53 is in a position corresponding to disengaged position of the clutch collar I I4, and the solenoid I10 may be then energized to open the throttle I61 for purposes hereinafter to be described.

Another switch I16 comprising contacts I11 is actuated by the piston I53 of the vacuum unit I52, and this switch like the switch I15 is closed when the piston I53 is in its position corresponding to disengaged condition of the positive clutch II3. One of the contacts I11 is connected with the ignition switch I 41, and the other of the contacts I11 is connected with the spark coil I45 of the ignition system for the engine I02, and, as will be described, this switch provides an alternate source of current from the battery. I44 to the coil I45 instead of that provided through the contacts I46.

In the operation of the transmission control mechanism, the hand lever I26 causes a number of different operations to occur. The hand lever. on a shifting thereof functions by means of the switch I38 to temporarily disable the ignition system for the engine I02 and to disengage the positive clutch I I3 when the ignition is disabled; it functions through the shafts I34 and I30 to shift one --of the rails I20 and I22 to complete another gear train; and it thereafter temporarily opens the throttle for the engine I02 to engage the one-way clutch H2 and causes an errgagement of the positive clutch II4 while the engaging parts of the positive clutch are synchronized by engagement of the one-way clutch. The combination of the positive clutch H3 and the oneway clutch II2is provided so that the countershaft including the gears I08, I09 and I I 0 may be disconnected from the drive shaft I00 when a shift is to be made into another gear ratio and the weight and moment of inertia of the parts that must be slowed down in order to engage one of the gears I05, I06 or I01 is decreased. Disengagement of the positive clutch I I 3 disconnects the gears I04-and III together with the shaft I00, and any parts of the clutch I03 connectedwith'the shaft I00, from the countershaft includ--- ing the gears I08, I09 and H0. This doublev clutch construction is particularly advantageous as'zaeoa .9 for heavy transmlssions,-such as those for trucks, in which the parts are especially heavy.

"Movement of the hand shift lever I28 to move the shaft I20 longitudinally has the effect of locating the shift lever I24 in either of the notches 125 of either the rail "I20 or the rail I22. Rotational movement-of the lever 12%, thereafter, has the effect of closing the switch Iii-'8, and this switch is closed prior to any movement of either of the rails I26 and I22 by means of the shafts I30 and I34. The switch then completes a circuit from the battery I 44, through the fuse I43, the armature portion MI and the winding :se to energize the relay M and draw the armature downwardly to bring the contacts Hi6 and I13 out of contact and to bringthecontacts into contact. 'Separationof the contacts I iS-discom ne'cts the spark coil I 45 from the battery I44, so that the ignition system is not connected in any way with the battery, and the ignition system is thus disabledcausing the engine to exert a drag on the shaft I00. The contacts I at which are brought togethercomplete a circuitfrom the battery-and fuse tothe solenoid I 19 of the valve I50 and through the holding coil IE4 or the vacuum unit. The plunger I5i of the valve I50 is thus moved, and vacuum is applied to the piston I53 of the vacuum unit I52. The direction of the torque transmitted through the positive clutch I I3'which has heretofore been inengaged condition is reversed due to the simultaneous disabling of the ignition system to allowdisengagement of the clutch, and the vacuum exerted on the piston I 53 has the eirect of moving the piston and the collar I I lof the positive clutch H3 to disengage the positive clutch. The one-way clutch I I-2 may then release to allow the gears I08, I09 and III) to rotate faster than the gear Ill and the parts connected therewith and engagement of 'any of the gears I05, I06 or I01 with the gears I08, I09 and Ill] may be made without bringing the gear III and the parts connected therewith to any particular speed. Further movement of the hand lever I26 has the effect of engaging one of the gears I05, I06 and It! with one of the gears I08, I09-or H0 by means ofthe lugs I32 acted on hyithe lever I3I and the lever I33andshaft I3 5 to complete another power train through the transmission.

:Movement of 'thepiston I 53 to its clutch dis engaging position has "the effect of closing the switch I15, and the battery I Mis again connected with the spark coil I45 through the switch I18. Thor-switch I is in parallel with the switch contacts I46, and closing of the-switch I15 reenergizes .the ignition system when the clutch 'I I3 opens regardless of the fact that the relay I40 may remain energized. This movement of the piston I53 also has the function of closing the switch I15 for purposes hereinafter to be described.

Upon the operator :releasing the hand lever I26 after a shift has been made allowing the springs :I31 to open the switch I38, the relay M0 is de-energized, and the armature moves back into its illustrated position. The ordinary connection'between the battery and the spark 0011 I45 is then again completed through the contacts I46. The contacts I13 are brought together by this movement of the armature, andthesecontacts complete a circuit from the battery and fuse through the throttle solenoid I10 and thr'ough'the switch I15. The throttle solenoid I10 is thus energized, and its armature I1'I is moved toopen the throttle I61 and-increase the speed of the engine 102. This increase in the engine speed functions to engage the one-Way clutch H2 and the parts -of the positive clutch I13 are thus synchronized so that the positive clutch may be'easilyengaged. Movementof the armatureback to its illustrated positionalso has the effectof'openin'g the contacts and the holding coil I5 and the vacuum valve I 50 are ole-energized. Upon this synchronization of the engaging parts of the positive clutch I I3 and deenergization of the valve I56, the spring I55 moves the-clutch collar H 4 back to engaged position to reengage-the positive clutch II3. On this movementof the positive clutch collar H4 and piston I53, the switches I16 and I15 are opened, and opening of the latter switch has the effect of breaking the circuit through the throttle solenoid I10 to allow the throttle to be returned-again to closed condition by the spring means (not shown) provided in the throttle according to standard practice. The transmissionis then in another speed ratio with one of the gears I05, I03 or I01 being engaged with one of the gears I08, I09 or H0, and'since the positive clutch I13 is engaged, this is a two-way drive. The accelerator Iii'B-may thereafter be utilized for controlling the throttle I61 to-increase the'speed of the engine as may be-desired.

Due to the fact that the positive clutch H3 has the effect of effectively disconnecting the gears I538, IOQand :I'I0 from the engine and from the gears I04 and HI and the parts connected therewith, the friction clutch I03 need -not be disengaged in making a shift into first, second or third gears. The-clutch I-I3, however,-as is apparent'is-not eifectiv'e tobreak the-power train between the engine and thegear I04, and it is thus contemplated that the friction clutch I03 shall be disengaged for shifting intodirect drive by engagementof thepositive clutch I I5.

I wish it to be understood that my invention is not :to be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, except only insofar as the claims may be so limited, as it will be apparent to those-skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing fromlthe principles-of the invention.

I claim:

1. In transmission mechanism, the combinanon of a drive shaft, an engine for driving sai'd shaft and having an ignition system and a throttle, a driven shaft, means forproviding a plurality of power trains of different speed ratio between said shafts and including a one-way coupling and a positive coupling in parallel with the-one-way coupling for completing at least one of "said power trains, and control means forsaid positive couplingand including means for disabling said ignition system to allow disengagement of the positive coupling, said control means indluding means for temporarily opening said throttle and increasing the speed of said engine whereby to engage said one-way coupling prior to engagement of said positive coupling.

2. In transmission mechanism, the combination of a drive shaft, an enginefor driving said shaft and having an ignition system andca throttle, a driven shaft, means for providing a pluralityiof power trains of different speed ratio between said :shafts and including a one-way coupling and a'positive coupling in parallel with the acne-way coupling for completing the power trains, and control means for shiftingfrom one of said ratios to .another and including means for disengaging said 'ipositive coupling and disabling said ignition system to allow the positive coupling to be disengaged on a shift out of one of the ratios and including means for temporarily opening said throttle and increasing the speed of said engine to engage said one-way coupling and engaging the positive coupling when the one-way coupling is engaged on a shift into another speed ratio.

3. In transmission mechanism, the combination of a drive shaft, an engine for driving said shaft and having an ignition system and a throttle, a driven shaft, means for providing a plurality of power trains of different speed ratio between said shafts and including a one-way clutch and a positive clutch in parallel with the one-way clutch for completing the power trains, and control means including a manual control for shifting the transmission mechanism between its various speed ratios, said control means in cluding means for disabling said ignition system and disengaging said positive clutch on a shift out of one of the speed ratios and means for temporarily opening said throttle and increasing the speed of said engine whereby to engage said oneway clutch and then engaging said positive clutch on the transmission mechanism being shifted into another speed ratio.

4. In transmission mechanism, the combination of a drive shaft, an engine for driving said shaft and having an ignition system and a throttle, a driven shaft, means for providing a plurality of power trains of different speed ratio between said shafts and including a one-way clutch and a positive clutch in parallel with the one-way clutch for completing the power trains,

and control means including a manual control for shifting from one speed ratio to another, said control means including a motor for disengaging said positive clutch and a motor for opening said throttle, and a switch actuated by said manual control when the control is used to shift from one speed ratio to another, said switch and motors being so interconnected that the ignition system is disabled and said positive clutch is disengaged when the manual control is utilized to shift out of one speed ratio and said throttle is temporarily opened to increase the speed of the engine to thereby engage said one-way clutch and said positive clutch is thereafter engaged when said manual control is utilized for shifting into another speed ratio.

5. In transmission mechanism, the combination of a drive shaft, an engine for driving said shaft, a driven shaft, means providing a power train for connecting said shafts and including an engaging means for rendering said power train operative when engaged, means providing a second power train and including a one-way engaging means and a positive engaging means in parallel to complete said second power train, actuating means for both said first-named engaging means and said positive engaging means, control means for temporarily increasing the speed of said engine whereby to engage said one-way engaging means prior to engagement of said positive engaging means to facilitate engagement of the latter, and a'control for said actuating and control means for disengaging said first namedengaging means for rendering said first named power train inoperative and temporarily increasing the speed of said engine and engaging said positive engaging means for rendering said second power train operative all on an operative stroke of the control.

6. In transmission mechanism, the combination of a drive shaft, an engine for driving said shaft, a driven shaft, means providing a power train for connecting said shafts and including a clutch for rendering said power train operative when engaged, means providing a second power train and including a one-way clutch and a positive clutch inparallel, actuating means for both said first-named clutch and said positive clutch, control means for temporarily increasing the speed of said engine whereby to engage said oneway clutch prior to engagement of said positive clutch to facilitate engagement of the latter, and a control for said actuating and control means for disengaging said first named clutch for rendering said first named power train inoperative and temporarily increasing the speed of said engine and engaging said positive clutch for rendering said second power train operative all on an operative stroke of the control.

7. In transmission mechanism, the combination of a drive shaft, an engine for driving said shaft and having a throttle for controlling the speed of the engine, a driven shaft, means providing a power train for connecting said shafts and including a clutch for rendering said power train operative when engaged, means providing a second power train and including a one-Way clutch and a positive clutch in parallel, actuating means for both said first-named clutch and said positive clutch, control means connected with said engine throttle for temporarily inqcreasing the speed of said engine whereby to engage said one-way clutch prior to engagement of said positive clutch to facilitate engagement of the latter, and a manual control for said actuating and control means for disengaging said first named clutch for rendering said first named power train inoperative and temporarily increasing the speed of said engine and engaging said positive clutch for rendering said second power train operative all on an operative stroke of the control.

8. In transmission mechanism, the combination of a drive shaft, an engine for driving said shaft and having a throttle for controlling the speed of the engine, a driven shaft, means providing a power train for connecting said shafts and including a clutch for rendering said power train operative when engaged, means for providing a second power train and including a oneway clutch and a positive clutch in parallel, actuating means for both said first-named clutch and said positive clutch, control means connected with said engine throttle for temporarily increasing the speed of said engine whereby to engage said one-way clutch prior to engagement of said positive clutch to facilitate engagement of the latter, and a manual control for said actuating and control means for disengaging said first named clutch for rendering said first named power train inoperative and temporarily increasing the speed of said engine and engaging said positive clutch for rendering said second power train operative all on an operative stroke of the control, said control means including an electric solenoid operative on the throttle of said engine and a switch electrically connected with said solenoid and operated by said manual control.

9. In transmission mechanism for an automotive vehicle having a dashboard, the combination of a drive shaft, an engine for driving said shaft and having a throttle for controlling the speed of the engine, a driven shaft, means providing a power train for connecting said shafts 13 and including a clutch for rendering said power train operative when engaged, means for providing a second power train and including a oneway clutch and a positive clutch in parallel, a motor for actuating said first-named clutch, actuating means for said positive clutch, control means for temporarily increasing the speed of said engine and including an electric solenoid operative on said engine throttle whereby to engage said one-way clutch prior to engagement of the latter, and a manual control on the dashboard of the vehicle for said actuating and control means and motor for disengaging said first named clutch for rendering said first named power train inoperative and temporarily increasing the speed of said engine and engaging said positive clutch for rendering said second power train operative all on an operative stroke of the control.

10. In transmission mechanism, the combination of a drive shaft, an engine for driving said shaft, a driven shaft, means for providing first and second power trains of different speed ratio between said shafts, a clutch for completing said first power train when engaged, a one-way clutch and a positive clutch in parallel to complete said second power train, actuating means for both said first-named clutch and said positive clutch, control means for temporarily increasing the speed of said engine whereby to engage said one-way clutch prior to engagement of said positive clutch to facilitate engagement of the latter, and a control for said actuating means and control means for disengaging said first-named clutch to break said first power train and temporarily increasing the speed of the engine and for engaging said positive clutch to complete said second power train all on an operative stroke of the control.

11. In transmission mechanism, thecombination of a drive shaft, an engine for driving said shaft and having a throttle, a driven shaft, means providing a relatively high speed ratio power train between said shafts and including a positive clutch for completing the power train when engaged, means providing a relatively low speed ratio power train between said shafts and including a one-way clutch and a positive clutch in parallel to complete the power train, actuating means for both of said positive clutches, control means operative on the vehicle throttle for temporarily increasing the speed of said engine whereby to engage said one-way clutch prior to engagement of said second-named positive clutch to facilitate engagement of the latter, and a control for said actuating means and control means for disengaging said first-named clutch to break said high speed ratio power train and temporarily increasing the speed of the engine and for engaging said second-named positive clutch to complete said low speed ratio power train all on an operative stroke of the control.

PALMER ORR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,478,529 Richardson Dec. 25, 1923 2,101,275 Starkey Dec. 7, 1937 2,216,138 Sellers Oct. 1, 1940 

